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Whether you keep crystals and stones for aesthetic purposes or your truly believe in their power to promote wellness, there’s no denying their beauty.

You may have noticed the influx of delicate pinks into homes and decor over the past year. The popular colour was so inspirational, that Pantone named it one of their colours of 2016.

â€śAs consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colours that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent,â€ť the company explained in their announcement, adding that itâ€™s â€śa symbolic colour selection; a colour snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.â€ť

Rose Quartz, associated with the stone of the same name, is believed to be attuned to the heart chakra, helping to heighten self esteem and improve the quality of your relationships, especially with loved ones. Modern crystal healers will speak of its powerful ability to anchor your consciousness and keep your heart full and open to love.

In ode to one of the colours of the year, we decided to collect some of our favourite pieces to bring a little tranquility into your home.

The biggest new trend was integrated sinks â€” made from the same material as the benchtop, some with oversized detailing. Many kitchens also had a monolithic appearance, where drawers, doors, end panels and appliances were clad in the same material as the benchtop. This was applied across a range of materials: Corian, granite, marble, concrete, engineered stone and even laminate. Handles were cleverly integrated into the drawers and doors so as to minimise visual disruption.

How has kitchen design and technology changed?

Given a kitchen needs to be more enduring than fashion or homewares, any design and technology changes tend to be evolutionary. The EuroCucina fair at the Salone del Mobile happens every two years, and it is interesting to watch new trends emerge, then either strengthen or disappear. Three examples of survivors are: deeper, darker colours; more movement of kitchen components; and the use of copper as an accent. Colours are getting more intense and moody, especially grey palettes and brown based colours. As such, the Corian range will extend into this colour area, as well as whites and neutrals. Electronically controlled kitchen components â€” particularly relating to benchtops â€” have gone from being a stand-out feature to commonplace. And the mix and match approach of clashing metals has narrowed in focus with coppery rose gold the stand-out.

What was the one thing you wanted to bring home?

â€śThe â€śflooâ€ť kitchen by Karim Rashid for Rational was without doubt the standout kitchen at the recent Eurocucina Kitchen Fair in Milan.

Floo is a simple, minimal and Rational kitchen design, featuring a continuous radius detail that also functions as a handle. The monobloc components are clean and seamless, continuing from benchtop to floor, delivering a pure and totally resolved geometry. The kitchen features a combination of CorianÂ® Glacier White and Grey, as well as an integrated sink similar to the DUO sink from Evolution of Surfaces. CorianÂ® was the logical choice for this kitchen as it is sleek and seamless, not to mention practical, hygienic and durable. CorianÂ® is surprisingly warm and soft to touch, ensuring that the designerâ€™s objectives of â€śfriendly, human and engagingâ€ť are delivered in the surface choice as well as through the design.